[OVERVIEW]
Moltres excels in RU thanks to a good combination of offensive prowess and defensive utility that lets it contribute positively to a wide variety of teams. Its Fire / Flying STAB combination is hard to reliably take on outside of Rock-types, and its high Special Attack and high-Base Power STAB moves give it very high damage output. Furthermore, a solid Speed tier lets Moltres outpace a notable range of threats in the tier, including Mega Blastoise, Gardevoir, Necrozma, and Feraligatr. Moltres is also quite capable defensively due to its typing giving it an immunity to Ground and key resistances to Grass, Steel, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy as well as its solid bulk, allowing it to check Pokemon like Shaymin, Mega Steelix, Escavalier, and Mega Abomasnow. However, a lack of reliable coverage means Moltres is limited to STAB moves and Hidden Power. Both of Moltres's strongest STAB moves also have shaky accuracy, causing it to have a considerable degree of unreliability. Most importantly, Moltres's crippling weakness to Stealth Rock means entry hazard control is mandatory on any team with it and Moltres's effectiveness is greatly reduced when Stealth Rock is on the field.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Roost
move 4: U-turn / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb / Flyinium Z
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hurricane is Moltres's most powerful Flying-type STAB attack. Its shaky accuracy is a necessary evil, as without the move's power Moltres is unable to 2HKO bulky Water-types like Milotic and Mega Blastoise and OHKO Araquanid. Fire Blast is Moltres's strongest Fire-type STAB attack. Flamethrower is a weaker option that does not miss, but the drop in power is very apparent. Roost lets Moltres stick around in a match longer and somewhat mitigates its weakness to Stealth Rock by allowing it to use forced switches to regain HP. U-turn is critical to allow Moltres to gain momentum and get itself out of unfavorable matchups. Hidden Power Grass instead deals big damage to Rhyperior and is also useful for netting a KO on weakened Water-types when you don't want to risk missing Hurricane.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs give Moltres the most wallbreaking potential. A Timid nature is used to let Moltres stay ahead of Gardevoir, Mega Blastoise, Feraligatr, Rotom-C, and Necrozma while also allowing Moltres to Speed tie with Roserade and Meloetta. Life Orb boosts Moltres's power at the cost of HP, allowing it to use its dual STAB coverage to the fullest. Flyinium Z is an option to give Moltres a one-time nuke and bluff a Choice item at the cost of immediate power. Choice Specs is an option for a huge boost in power but means Moltres can't switch attacks or use Roost reliably. If you're using Choice Specs, Hidden Power Grass or Overheat should be used over Roost. Flame Body is the ability of choice, as it can occasionally be useful when switching Moltres in on or sacrificing it to a contact move, though Pressure is still a solid option to burn through the opposing Pokemon's PP more quickly.
Usage Tips
========
Feel free to use Moltres's attacks freely, as even Moltres's most solid stops, such as Umbreon and Snorlax, still take sizable chunks from its attacks. This also allows Moltres to break its own checks by relentlessly attacking when it's on the field. Hurricane is Moltres's best attack, as reliable switch-ins to it are somewhat uncommon, though its questionable accuracy makes it somewhat unreliable. Use Roost on predicted switches from foes such as Mega Steelix, Shaymin, and Rotom-C that Moltres threatens out in order to keep it healthy longer. When Pokemon such as Umbreon or Cresselia are present, using U-turn allows Moltres to chip them and make it harder for them to come into it later on top of giving momentum by forcing them out with wallbreakers like Bewear and Escavalier.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard control from partners like Gligar, Mega Blastoise, and Mandibuzz is essential, as Moltres requires the removal of Stealth Rock to function. Grass-types, including Shaymin and Roserade, take on bulky Rock- and Water-types like Diancie, Rhyperior, and Milotic that Moltres dislikes. Rotom-C and Tsareena pair especially well with Moltres, as they can form a potent VoltTurn core with it and also support Moltres by removing Stealth Rock. Strong physical wallbreakers, such as Bewear, Feraligatr, and Mega Glalie, appreciate Moltres's ability to lure in and pivot on specially defensive pokemon like Mandibuzz, Umbreon, Diancie, and Gigalith that they can take advantage of. A special mention goes to Virizion, which can use its Grass type to threaten bulky Water- and Rock-types, and it is also able to set up on Pokemon like Snorlax, Porygon2, and Umbreon that switch in on Moltres. Fast cleaners, such as Zygarde-10% and Choice Scarf Gardevoir, are able to finish off an opposing team after Moltres has softened them up with its powerful attacks.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Flamethrower / Air Slash
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast is Moltres's a Fire-type STAB move. Hurricane is Moltres's primary Flying-type STAB move, and the power is necessary to revenge kill offensive threats reliably. U-turn allows Moltres to gain momentum and get teammates on the field safely. Flamethrower gives Moltres a more reliable way to clean weakened teams due to its perfect accuracy. Air Slash serves a similar function to Flamethrower but is weaker; in exchange, it also provides Moltres with a way to more easily revenge kill targets such as Salazzle, Virizion, and Feraligatr. Hidden Power Grass is an option in the final slot, but it's weak unboosted and is highly exploitable once you choose to lock into it; often, using U-turn is a better choice when you expect a bad matchup.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment maximizes Moltres's offensive prowess. A Timid nature makes sure Moltres outspeeds Choice Scarf Gardevoir and +1 Feraligatr and allows it to Speed tie with Choice Scarf Roserade. Choice Scarf allows Moltres to act as a powerful revenge killer and late-game cleaner due to it outpacing the entire unboosted metagame as well as some boosted threats like Feraligatr. Flame Body is the ability of choice, as it can occasionally be useful when switching Moltres in on or sacrificing it to a contact move, though Pressure is still a solid option to burn through the opposing Pokemon's PP more quickly.
Usage Tips
========
Use Moltres to revenge kill fast threats like Salazzle, weakened Feraligatr, and Virizion. Moltres also makes for a solid late-game cleaner once its checks and counters are whittled down or removed. The added Speed from Choice Scarf allows Moltres to switch into some threats like Mega Glalie and Yanmega and threaten them out in a pinch. U-turn is great for getting slow breakers such as Bewear and Feraligatr on the field versus passive walls like Cresselia and Umbreon.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard control from partners like Gligar, Mega Blastoise, and Mandibuzz is essential, as Moltres requires the removal of Stealth Rock to function. Grass-types, including Shaymin and Roserade, take on bulky Rock- and Water-types like Diancie, Rhyperior, and Milotic that Moltres dislikes. Rotom-C and Tsareena pair especially well with Moltres, as they can form a potent VoltTurn core with it and also support Moltres by removing Stealth Rock. Wallbreakers like Mega Blastoise, Swords Dance Feraligatr, and Choice Specs Gardevoir can break and weaken foes so Moltres can clean late-game. A special mention goes to Virizion, which can threaten bulky Water- and Rock-types and is also able to set up on Pokemon like Snorlax, Porygon2, and Umbreon that switch in on Moltres. Strong physical breakers, such as Bewear and Mega Glalie, appreciate Moltres's ability to lure in and pivot on specially defensive Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Umbreon, Diancie, and Gigalith that they can take advantage of.
[SET]
name: Substitute + Toxic
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Roost
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 80 SpD / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute allows Moltres to avoid status moves like Toxic as well as PP stall attacks like Stone Edge and Hydro Pump due to their low PP. Toxic lets Moltres whittle down bulky Pokemon as well as bulky Fire-resistant threats that switch into it. Roost keeps Moltres healthy throughout a match, somewhat mitigating its Stealth Rock weakness and recovering HP lost through use of Substitute. Flamethrower is a solid STAB attack and hits Steel-types that are immune to Toxic.
Set Details
========
176 Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Moltes outspeed maximum Speed positive-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon, such as Gardevoir and Goodra. It also gets the jump on Necrozma and Mega Blastoise, allowing Moltes to PP stall Photon Geyser and Hydro Pump with Substitute. Maximum HP investment gives Moltres the best overall bulk and allows it to check Fighting-, Grass-, and Steel-types like Shaymin, Pangoro, and Mega Steelix. The rest of the EVs go in Special Defense to ensure uninvested Cresselia's Psychic never breaks Substitute. Investing 224 Speed EVs to outspeed Rotom-C is an option, notably allowing Moltres to use Substitute or Roost to scout for Volt Switch or hit Rotom-C with Flamethrower before it can move, but it loses the ability to reliably take on Cresselia.
Usage Tips
========
Use Substitute against bulky Pokemon that can't break it, like Cresselia and Porygon2, or against Pokemon threatened out by Moltres like Mega Steelix and Shaymin. Substitute can also be used to PP stall moves like Stone Edge, Hydro Pump, and Photon Geyser so that theis users of them are rendered unable to hit Moltres for significant damage. Use Toxic on bulky foes such as Cresselia and Mandibuzz to wear them down, letting Moltres's teammates break through them more easily. It is especially useful to whittle bulky Rock-types without recovery that switch into Moltres like Diancie, Rhyperior, and Gigalith.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard control from partners like Rotom-C, Gligar, and Mandibuzz is essential, as Moltres requires the removal of Stealth Rock to function. Fighting-types like Pangoro and Bewear are able to take advantage of Umbreon and bulky Rock-types that come in on Moltres. Grass-types, including Shaymin and Roserade, take on bulky Rock- and Water-types like Diancie, Rhyperior, and Milotic that Moltres dislikes. A special mention goes to Virizion, because it is also able to set up on Pokemon like Snorlax, Porygon2, and Umbreon that switch in on Moltres. Fast cleaners, such as Zygarde-10%, Swellow, and Choice Scarf Tyrantrum, are able to finish off an opposing team after Moltres has whittled them down. Bulky Steel-types like Mega Steelix and Bronzong are able to switch into threats that plague Moltres, like the aforementioned Rock-types and Dragalge, and enjoy Moltres's ability to check Fighting-types for them. Bulky Water-types like Milotic and Mega Blastoise are also able to take on Rock-types and appreciate Moltres checking Grass-types for them in return.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Grassium Z with Solar Beam is an option to nail common Moltres switch-ins like Milotic, Rhyperior, and Diancie, but the drop in initial power is unwelcome. It's worth noting, however, that the lack of Life Orb recoil could allow Moltres to bluff a Choice item. Defog is an option over Substitute on the bulky set, as Moltres can take on Stealth Rock users like Mega Steelix and Bronzong and is immune to Spikes, but outside of these specific matchups it makes for a very poor entry hazard clearer. Sunny Day with Solar Beam can serve a similar function to Grassium Z when it comes to luring in and taking out bulky Rock- and Water-types, and Sunny Day also boosts the power of Moltres's Fire-type STAB moves; however, this comes at the cost of not being able to use Hurricane effectively and means you have to forgo both U-turn and Roost. Hidden Power Ice on the Choice Scarf set allows Moltres to pick off Zygarde-10% and boosted Adamant Flygon as well as pressure specially defensive Gligar, but Adamant Flygon and specially defensive Gligar are rather rare. Furthermore, Hidden Power Ice is a very exploitable move to lock into, giving setup opportunities to threats like Salazzle and Feraligatr.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Moltres's 4x weakness to Rock means it is stripped of half of its HP while Stealth Rock is on the field, greatly reducing its effectiveness.
**Rock-types**: Bulky Rock-type Pokemon like Rhyperior, Diancie, and Gigalith can comfortably take on both of Moltres's STAB attacks and scare it out with the threat of an OHKO from their own STAB moves. More offensive Rock-type Pokemon, such as Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Tyrantrum, can also take a few hits and force Moltres back out.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon such as Cresselia, Porygon2, Mandibuzz, and Snorlax can comfortably take attacks from the wallbreaker and Choice Scarf Moltres sets. However, more passive specially defensive Pokemon, such as Cresselia, Porygon2, and Mandibuzz, can lose to Substitute + Toxic Moltres; the exception to this is Umbreon, which has Synchronize to return any poison aimed at it and can also heal off poison with Heal Bell, allowing it to serve as a counter to all Moltres sets despite its passiveness.
Moltres excels in RU thanks to a good combination of offensive prowess and defensive utility that lets it contribute positively to a wide variety of teams. Its Fire / Flying STAB combination is hard to reliably take on outside of Rock-types, and its high Special Attack and high-Base Power STAB moves give it very high damage output. Furthermore, a solid Speed tier lets Moltres outpace a notable range of threats in the tier, including Mega Blastoise, Gardevoir, Necrozma, and Feraligatr. Moltres is also quite capable defensively due to its typing giving it an immunity to Ground and key resistances to Grass, Steel, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy as well as its solid bulk, allowing it to check Pokemon like Shaymin, Mega Steelix, Escavalier, and Mega Abomasnow. However, a lack of reliable coverage means Moltres is limited to STAB moves and Hidden Power. Both of Moltres's strongest STAB moves also have shaky accuracy, causing it to have a considerable degree of unreliability. Most importantly, Moltres's crippling weakness to Stealth Rock means entry hazard control is mandatory on any team with it and Moltres's effectiveness is greatly reduced when Stealth Rock is on the field.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Roost
move 4: U-turn / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb / Flyinium Z
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hurricane is Moltres's most powerful Flying-type STAB attack. Its shaky accuracy is a necessary evil, as without the move's power Moltres is unable to 2HKO bulky Water-types like Milotic and Mega Blastoise and OHKO Araquanid. Fire Blast is Moltres's strongest Fire-type STAB attack. Flamethrower is a weaker option that does not miss, but the drop in power is very apparent. Roost lets Moltres stick around in a match longer and somewhat mitigates its weakness to Stealth Rock by allowing it to use forced switches to regain HP. U-turn is critical to allow Moltres to gain momentum and get itself out of unfavorable matchups. Hidden Power Grass instead deals big damage to Rhyperior and is also useful for netting a KO on weakened Water-types when you don't want to risk missing Hurricane.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs give Moltres the most wallbreaking potential. A Timid nature is used to let Moltres stay ahead of Gardevoir, Mega Blastoise, Feraligatr, Rotom-C, and Necrozma while also allowing Moltres to Speed tie with Roserade and Meloetta. Life Orb boosts Moltres's power at the cost of HP, allowing it to use its dual STAB coverage to the fullest. Flyinium Z is an option to give Moltres a one-time nuke and bluff a Choice item at the cost of immediate power. Choice Specs is an option for a huge boost in power but means Moltres can't switch attacks or use Roost reliably. If you're using Choice Specs, Hidden Power Grass or Overheat should be used over Roost. Flame Body is the ability of choice, as it can occasionally be useful when switching Moltres in on or sacrificing it to a contact move, though Pressure is still a solid option to burn through the opposing Pokemon's PP more quickly.
Usage Tips
========
Feel free to use Moltres's attacks freely, as even Moltres's most solid stops, such as Umbreon and Snorlax, still take sizable chunks from its attacks. This also allows Moltres to break its own checks by relentlessly attacking when it's on the field. Hurricane is Moltres's best attack, as reliable switch-ins to it are somewhat uncommon, though its questionable accuracy makes it somewhat unreliable. Use Roost on predicted switches from foes such as Mega Steelix, Shaymin, and Rotom-C that Moltres threatens out in order to keep it healthy longer. When Pokemon such as Umbreon or Cresselia are present, using U-turn allows Moltres to chip them and make it harder for them to come into it later on top of giving momentum by forcing them out with wallbreakers like Bewear and Escavalier.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard control from partners like Gligar, Mega Blastoise, and Mandibuzz is essential, as Moltres requires the removal of Stealth Rock to function. Grass-types, including Shaymin and Roserade, take on bulky Rock- and Water-types like Diancie, Rhyperior, and Milotic that Moltres dislikes. Rotom-C and Tsareena pair especially well with Moltres, as they can form a potent VoltTurn core with it and also support Moltres by removing Stealth Rock. Strong physical wallbreakers, such as Bewear, Feraligatr, and Mega Glalie, appreciate Moltres's ability to lure in and pivot on specially defensive pokemon like Mandibuzz, Umbreon, Diancie, and Gigalith that they can take advantage of. A special mention goes to Virizion, which can use its Grass type to threaten bulky Water- and Rock-types, and it is also able to set up on Pokemon like Snorlax, Porygon2, and Umbreon that switch in on Moltres. Fast cleaners, such as Zygarde-10% and Choice Scarf Gardevoir, are able to finish off an opposing team after Moltres has softened them up with its powerful attacks.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Flamethrower / Air Slash
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast is Moltres's a Fire-type STAB move. Hurricane is Moltres's primary Flying-type STAB move, and the power is necessary to revenge kill offensive threats reliably. U-turn allows Moltres to gain momentum and get teammates on the field safely. Flamethrower gives Moltres a more reliable way to clean weakened teams due to its perfect accuracy. Air Slash serves a similar function to Flamethrower but is weaker; in exchange, it also provides Moltres with a way to more easily revenge kill targets such as Salazzle, Virizion, and Feraligatr. Hidden Power Grass is an option in the final slot, but it's weak unboosted and is highly exploitable once you choose to lock into it; often, using U-turn is a better choice when you expect a bad matchup.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment maximizes Moltres's offensive prowess. A Timid nature makes sure Moltres outspeeds Choice Scarf Gardevoir and +1 Feraligatr and allows it to Speed tie with Choice Scarf Roserade. Choice Scarf allows Moltres to act as a powerful revenge killer and late-game cleaner due to it outpacing the entire unboosted metagame as well as some boosted threats like Feraligatr. Flame Body is the ability of choice, as it can occasionally be useful when switching Moltres in on or sacrificing it to a contact move, though Pressure is still a solid option to burn through the opposing Pokemon's PP more quickly.
Usage Tips
========
Use Moltres to revenge kill fast threats like Salazzle, weakened Feraligatr, and Virizion. Moltres also makes for a solid late-game cleaner once its checks and counters are whittled down or removed. The added Speed from Choice Scarf allows Moltres to switch into some threats like Mega Glalie and Yanmega and threaten them out in a pinch. U-turn is great for getting slow breakers such as Bewear and Feraligatr on the field versus passive walls like Cresselia and Umbreon.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard control from partners like Gligar, Mega Blastoise, and Mandibuzz is essential, as Moltres requires the removal of Stealth Rock to function. Grass-types, including Shaymin and Roserade, take on bulky Rock- and Water-types like Diancie, Rhyperior, and Milotic that Moltres dislikes. Rotom-C and Tsareena pair especially well with Moltres, as they can form a potent VoltTurn core with it and also support Moltres by removing Stealth Rock. Wallbreakers like Mega Blastoise, Swords Dance Feraligatr, and Choice Specs Gardevoir can break and weaken foes so Moltres can clean late-game. A special mention goes to Virizion, which can threaten bulky Water- and Rock-types and is also able to set up on Pokemon like Snorlax, Porygon2, and Umbreon that switch in on Moltres. Strong physical breakers, such as Bewear and Mega Glalie, appreciate Moltres's ability to lure in and pivot on specially defensive Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Umbreon, Diancie, and Gigalith that they can take advantage of.
[SET]
name: Substitute + Toxic
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Roost
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 80 SpD / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute allows Moltres to avoid status moves like Toxic as well as PP stall attacks like Stone Edge and Hydro Pump due to their low PP. Toxic lets Moltres whittle down bulky Pokemon as well as bulky Fire-resistant threats that switch into it. Roost keeps Moltres healthy throughout a match, somewhat mitigating its Stealth Rock weakness and recovering HP lost through use of Substitute. Flamethrower is a solid STAB attack and hits Steel-types that are immune to Toxic.
Set Details
========
176 Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Moltes outspeed maximum Speed positive-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon, such as Gardevoir and Goodra. It also gets the jump on Necrozma and Mega Blastoise, allowing Moltes to PP stall Photon Geyser and Hydro Pump with Substitute. Maximum HP investment gives Moltres the best overall bulk and allows it to check Fighting-, Grass-, and Steel-types like Shaymin, Pangoro, and Mega Steelix. The rest of the EVs go in Special Defense to ensure uninvested Cresselia's Psychic never breaks Substitute. Investing 224 Speed EVs to outspeed Rotom-C is an option, notably allowing Moltres to use Substitute or Roost to scout for Volt Switch or hit Rotom-C with Flamethrower before it can move, but it loses the ability to reliably take on Cresselia.
Usage Tips
========
Use Substitute against bulky Pokemon that can't break it, like Cresselia and Porygon2, or against Pokemon threatened out by Moltres like Mega Steelix and Shaymin. Substitute can also be used to PP stall moves like Stone Edge, Hydro Pump, and Photon Geyser so that theis users of them are rendered unable to hit Moltres for significant damage. Use Toxic on bulky foes such as Cresselia and Mandibuzz to wear them down, letting Moltres's teammates break through them more easily. It is especially useful to whittle bulky Rock-types without recovery that switch into Moltres like Diancie, Rhyperior, and Gigalith.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard control from partners like Rotom-C, Gligar, and Mandibuzz is essential, as Moltres requires the removal of Stealth Rock to function. Fighting-types like Pangoro and Bewear are able to take advantage of Umbreon and bulky Rock-types that come in on Moltres. Grass-types, including Shaymin and Roserade, take on bulky Rock- and Water-types like Diancie, Rhyperior, and Milotic that Moltres dislikes. A special mention goes to Virizion, because it is also able to set up on Pokemon like Snorlax, Porygon2, and Umbreon that switch in on Moltres. Fast cleaners, such as Zygarde-10%, Swellow, and Choice Scarf Tyrantrum, are able to finish off an opposing team after Moltres has whittled them down. Bulky Steel-types like Mega Steelix and Bronzong are able to switch into threats that plague Moltres, like the aforementioned Rock-types and Dragalge, and enjoy Moltres's ability to check Fighting-types for them. Bulky Water-types like Milotic and Mega Blastoise are also able to take on Rock-types and appreciate Moltres checking Grass-types for them in return.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Grassium Z with Solar Beam is an option to nail common Moltres switch-ins like Milotic, Rhyperior, and Diancie, but the drop in initial power is unwelcome. It's worth noting, however, that the lack of Life Orb recoil could allow Moltres to bluff a Choice item. Defog is an option over Substitute on the bulky set, as Moltres can take on Stealth Rock users like Mega Steelix and Bronzong and is immune to Spikes, but outside of these specific matchups it makes for a very poor entry hazard clearer. Sunny Day with Solar Beam can serve a similar function to Grassium Z when it comes to luring in and taking out bulky Rock- and Water-types, and Sunny Day also boosts the power of Moltres's Fire-type STAB moves; however, this comes at the cost of not being able to use Hurricane effectively and means you have to forgo both U-turn and Roost. Hidden Power Ice on the Choice Scarf set allows Moltres to pick off Zygarde-10% and boosted Adamant Flygon as well as pressure specially defensive Gligar, but Adamant Flygon and specially defensive Gligar are rather rare. Furthermore, Hidden Power Ice is a very exploitable move to lock into, giving setup opportunities to threats like Salazzle and Feraligatr.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Moltres's 4x weakness to Rock means it is stripped of half of its HP while Stealth Rock is on the field, greatly reducing its effectiveness.
**Rock-types**: Bulky Rock-type Pokemon like Rhyperior, Diancie, and Gigalith can comfortably take on both of Moltres's STAB attacks and scare it out with the threat of an OHKO from their own STAB moves. More offensive Rock-type Pokemon, such as Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Tyrantrum, can also take a few hits and force Moltres back out.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon such as Cresselia, Porygon2, Mandibuzz, and Snorlax can comfortably take attacks from the wallbreaker and Choice Scarf Moltres sets. However, more passive specially defensive Pokemon, such as Cresselia, Porygon2, and Mandibuzz, can lose to Substitute + Toxic Moltres; the exception to this is Umbreon, which has Synchronize to return any poison aimed at it and can also heal off poison with Heal Bell, allowing it to serve as a counter to all Moltres sets despite its passiveness.
Last edited:
